A simultaneous splash for water safety will take place across the globe Thursday when the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson sets out to break the 2011 Guinness World Record with more than 20,000 swimmers participating from Los Angeles to Lebanon.

“Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death of children ages one to four years in California,” said Nikki Miller, owner of Academy Swim Club and founder of the Aquatics Safety Awareness Program (A.S.A.P.).

“The June 14event culminates the efforts during National Water Safety Month (May) and follows the city of Santa Clarita’s June 2Water Safety Day,” she said. “We understand that it takes three layers of water safety to be effective. The ’Safer 3’ are: Safer Water, Safer Kids and Safer Response. According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, deaths due to drowning were reduced from 63 to two in Broward County, Florida during the first year of implementing the program.

“We’re partnering with the city, first responders, hospitals, pediatricians, preschools, swim schools and Olympic swimmers to make a big splash with water safety.”

Olympic gold medalists Rowdy Gaines and Janet Evans championed the event to help spread the word that drowning can be prevented through awareness and training.

“It is so important to draw attention to this issue,” said Evans. “The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is a perfect way to bring the ‘Swimming Lessons Save Lives’ message to kids and parents.”

World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is an event presented by a coalition of the nation’s top aquatics organizations including the American Red Cross, Aquatics International, Association of Pool and Spa Professionals, International Swimming Hall of Fame, Swim for Life Foundation, the United States Swim School Association, and others.

The event will be held locally at Academy Swim Club at 8 a.m. Thursday to simultaneously and globally make a splash with one huge, water-safety, awareness lesson.

“Drowning is preventable. On June 14, we dive into summer with swimmers around the world to make a splash for saving lives,” Miller said.

Academy Swim Club is located at 28079 Smyth Drive, Santa Clarita, Calif. 91355.

For more information contact Nikki Miller at 661-702-8585 or asapsocal@swim4life.com.